MAORI FOOTBALLERS
PKIIFOIIAi ANCIOS IK FRAKpE, P LAYERS’ FORM REVIEWED. LACK OF SOLID TACKLING. PARIS, Oct. 13. The Maori Rugby team lias now completed the first stage of its tour, having won eight and lost one of the matches played in France. Although the team has been so successful, it has bfeen somewhat lucky to come •through this' portion of the tour with only one defeat. It played game after game, but could strike little combination, and the victories were due mainly to the individual abilities of the' players. The team’s greatest fault at present is poor tackling. This has been noticeable in several games, 'there being only a few players who really make sure of their man. Another fault which was particularly apparent on Sunday last, when the team was defeated by Paris, was that wellknown short punt, and the attempts at pots from poor positions. These only served to further assist the Paris men, and their line rearguard made good use of the ball whenever they | had possession. | The Maori forwards have proved i themselves a very fine lot, Jxi the ear- ■ Her games they were una’i/e to hook the ball, chiefly becausj of the tactics i --
which were adopted by the hooker or the opposing team, and which were not prevented by the referee. In the last two games, However, they have easily held their own in this department of the game. Their loose play leaves nothing to be desired. Barclay s Impressive Play. The outstanding player of the team lias been the captain, W. P. Barclay. This player has played in six of the games, and lias scored 13 tries. Ho scored the majority of these in individual efforts, and has proved himself a very dangerous scoring man, having plenty of pace and determination, and an excellent tend. Falwasser lias also been very prominent, but lias not had many chances. He has frequently electrified the crowds, however, with his speedy swerving dashes from the line, and has, so mr, scored seven tries. The most promising players of the team are probably Shortland and Robinson. '1 he former has taken part in all the garues, and has played very consistently. He opens up the game at every opportunity. The manner in which lie takes the ball oil the feet of the opposing forwards is a treat to watch. The latter player, wlio was chosen as a wing-threequarter, has been playing in the forwards. Robinson has the making of a very fine forward, being very fast in spite of his bulk, and he believes in following the ball, no matter who is in the way. Unfortunately he was injured in the game at Narbonne, and has not played since. He is progressing favourably, however, and should soon be in the fray again, Search I’m* Suitable Meals. Another forward who has been playing very well is Rika, of North Auckland. He lias proved himself a fine forward both in the tight and in the loose play. Stewart has also been very prominent in the' loose play, and is a tireless worker. The team has been under great difficulties during its tour in France, more particularly as regards the food available for them. French cooking is very greasy and altogether unsuitable for training, and much of the best food is spoilt' by being smothered with , dressing. At-'Paris the team could not even get sufficient accommodation, and found great difficulty in getting their meals at'all. some of the players actually going elsewhere for meals.
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Shannon News, 3 December 1926, Page 4
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583MAORI FOOTBALLERS Shannon News, 3 December 1926, Page 4
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